5 Lessons I’ve learned in 2014

Hands down, this has been the most life-changing year for me.

Between quitting my job in May, getting engaged and launching my own brand/business, I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I thought it would be awesome to finish out 2014 by sharing the 5 most salient lessons I’ve learned over this year in hopes that they will inspire you to get the most out of 2015.

1) There is always going to be an excuse not to do something: If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that there is never a good time to do anything that scares you or is different from your norm. Whether it’s losing weight, starting a business or leaving a terrible relationship, if you constantly push it off or tell yourself you will do it when the time is better, it will never happen.

For me, I learned this back in May when I finally left my job. For months leading up to it, I was unhappy and felt completely unappreciated. I kept giving myself excuses and telling myself I would leave after the holidays. The holidays quickly passed and then I said I would leave after the next big project. When that didn’t happen, I said I would leave after bonus time. Long story short, I just kept pushing it off and giving myself excuses all while doing long-term damage to my self-esteem and confidence. In the end, when I finally got the courage to leave, the light that was dulled while I was there finally had a chance to shine and I have never been happier. I removed the negativity from my life and opened myself up to doing what I am truly passionate about. So remember, there is never a good time and there is always going to be an excuse…so just do it!

2) Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want/need: Whether it’s in a relationship, friendship or at work, you can’t be afraid to ask for what you want or need. People aren’t mind readers and a lot of the time, it’s as simple as asking. I always tell my friends that by not asking, the answer is a 100% no and that’s where it ends. If you do ask, that “no” percentage goes down and you have the opportunity to actually get what you want! I don’t know about you, but I think some chance is better than no chance!

3) Let go of what’s not working: This has been one of the hardest challenges for me this year, but I’ve finally figured out how to let go when things don’t work. Here is an example: Up until about 3 years ago, I had a friend in my life who was toxic. Like the type of girl who would constantly talk negative about other people and worst of all, her own friends. It was the kind of situation where you didn’t want to go to the bathroom because you were worried what she would say about you while you were gone. She was a ticking time bomb with a millimeter long fuse. People were scared of her and friends with her out of fear. I was one of those silly people…and this went on for about 7 years. I know we’ve all had that friend.

About 3 years ago we had a falling out (who the heck knows why), but for whatever reason, I found myself holding onto this friendship. I had difficulty letting go and as a result I didn’t open myself up to anyone or anything new.

Back in April, I met my friend, Jessica Zweig, who honestly changed everything for me. She invited me to a Full-Moon Party where the whole purpose was to let go of the past and move forward with the present. We did a burning ritual where you actually wrote down the people, thoughts and memories that you want to move past and you burn them. Hocus Pocus aside, I attribute this ritual to ridding the negative energy from my life. I’m not even sure you need to physically burn anything, but taking a few moments to reflect on what’s not working and making a conscious decision to end it there and move forward no matter what is hands down the best thing you can do for yourself.

Since I was able to finally let go of what wasn’t working I have opened myself up to the most unbelievably honest, caring and successful group of friends that constantly motivate me every single day. Each one of them is so incredible that I feel so incredibly lucky that they are a part of my life. In short, you only have so much energy and if the negative is taking up all the space, there is no room for the positive. Let it go.

4) Know your end goal and check-in along the way: I’ve learned this year that you can’t just set goals and expect to just achieve them. You have to constantly check-in along the way and make sure whatever your doing helps you achieve your long-term goal.

For example, I have a long-term goal of becoming a house-hold name. I want to be a brand synonymous with a light-hearted approach to cooking and food. Every day, I get offers for different product sponsorships and I have to constantly check-in and make sure that it is in line with my end goal. I’ll never get to where I want to be by standing behind something I don’t believe in or that doesn’t fit with my brand. I believe this translates to anything. Like, if one of your end goals is to have a family, then you need to check-in to your life, look at your relationship and ask yourself if that person will help you get to your end goal.

5) Friends can come and go, but your family is there no matter what: Now, I understand this isn’t always the case, but for most people, your family is always going to be your biggest advocate. They are going to give you the most honest advice, because at the end of the day, they have known you longer than anyone else in this world. It’s easy to overlook them since you know deep down they will always be there, but I challenge you to cherish them more next year. I attribute every single success I have in life to the support of my family and I couldn’t be more thankful for them.

If one-person takes just one of these lessons and it helps inspire them to live a more positive life, then it was worth sharing. Cheers to a new year!

Love always,
Erica